Today's news

HOMELESS NO MORE: Roger Laracuente entered the Pinellas adult education program in 2007, homeless and jobless. This past week he celebrated his successful completion of his GED. (Times photo, Lara Cerri)

AMENDMENT CONCERNS: School Board members from across Florida convene in Indian River to talk about the ins and outs of Amendments 5, 7 and 9, the Vero Beach Press-Journal reports.

HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH: The Florida State Board of Education will consider a policy to allow educators to use physical force to keep their classrooms safe and orderly, but some parents worry it might open the door to physical abuse of children, the Palm Beach Post reports.

TOO EXPENSIVE: Families are leaving Florida's private schools as they can no longer afford the tuition, the Sun-Sentinel reports.

About the blog

Gradebook features education articles and insights on schools in Florida, focusing on Tampa Bay area schools. What's the latest from the Florida Department of Education? How is the FCAT being used to compare Florida schools? What's going on in Tampa Bay schools? Get an insider's view from the Times education reporting team.